September 2027: Birthday Blast
"Erikson! I got you already!" Barney Stinson shouted at the sixteen year old almost giant Brandon who ducked under a pillar before his uncle Barney could get him out for good. Barney pivoted quickly shooting out another short figure. "Ha! Got you Philips! Go cry to your Mommy!"
"Barney! This is awesome! Laser tag is so much fun!" Marshall Erikson exclaimed as he breathed heavily as he ducked with Barney behind something then shot at his son before he could shoot at him. "Don't even think about it, kid!"
"Marshall! Focus!" Barney shouted thrusting his fingers at the judge then back at himself. The man had a goofy high like expression on. He turned slightly. "Is Robin still out there?"
"Fighting the good fight, bro." Marshall hit his shoulder. Barney peeked behind the corner to see the rapid fire of lights. He held Marshall's shoulder. "Barney, what's wrong?"
"It's coming." He said ominously and full of worry. Marshall went wide eyed. He knew what Barney was speaking of.
"Now? Where?" Marshall was almost panicking. Barney grabbed him by his collar.
"This is no time to panic, Erickson!" He shouted loudly in his face almost on the verge of panicking himself. "We have to keep moving."
"And the girls? Lily, Robin and-"
"We have to move." Barney insisted getting up from his squatting position. Before Marshall could even move to get up Robin came flying toward Barney ducking between the two men as firing pursued in the other direction.
"They got Lily." She said looking up at Lily. "Ted, Eric, Denise and-"
"Lily!" Marshall shouted peeking behind the pillar. Robin pulled him back.
"Are you nuts?! She's gone. We're all that remains and they still have all the strongest players." Robin held Barney's shoulder as she looked him in the eye. "You know what we have to do."
"No Scherbatsky! That's suicide!" Barney stated in a frantic state.
"I know, but I'd rather go down fighting then surrender to these little punk asses." She glared at the dark eyes of Brandon Erikson, still waiting for his moment.
"Are you referring to my son beca-"
"Erikson! Your son is the enemy now!" Robin shouted shaking the man's shoulders. "Do you think he'd hesitate to take down his mother or you? Or even Barney?"
"Why Barney?" Marshall asked in confusion.
"Because I'm awesome." He adjusted his outfit as Robin looked over at him. She sat between the two men ducking at the sounds.
"Barney we have to do this." She said looking deeply into his blue eyes. He sighed hesitating. "I promise I'll see you on the other side."
"Before you do anything. What are we-" The sound of firing paused Marshall in his words. It was too fast to be anyone else, but her. "Oh crap! She's found us!"
"Probably cause you're talking so loud." Barney suggested peeking around the corner to see the figure come closer. "Okay, I see her. In range. Should I take the shot?"
"I don't know Barney. It is her birthday and she is-"
"Do it!" Robin protested Marshall's request to show mercy. Barney took the shot, but missed as the figure saw the aim and rolled to the ground. She got enough time to duck behind something.
"Damn it! Took too long. Erikson she might show up on your side. Be alert!" Barney stated as Marshall shuffled to move. He peeked out a little too much and Barney and Robin immediately heard the noise. Five shots from one direction and five from another.
"I'm hit!" Marshall cried falling down to the floor. Robin gasped softly as Barney covered her mouth quickly holding her body close to his. He watched as Marshall Erikson laid there for about almost a minute. He soon stumbled to his feet and Barney and Robin knew Erikson was just being dramatic. "Brandon you are so grounded when we get home." Marshall pointed at his son who then stood up.
"It's a game. How can I be-" Three hits from each Robin and Barney counted the oldest Erikson child out. The boy mumbled hearing his vest chime he was no longer a part of the game. "Cheater!" He cussed. Marshall just turned around giving his fellow teammates a thumbs up.
"See you guys for cake." He said with a smile and pulled his son in for a hug as they left.
Robin and Barney exchanged worried looks before putting their backs up against each other and looking around for targets. Robin turned her head to look at her husband.
"Barney, this isn't going to end good." She said trying not to panic at the fact they were all that was left of the adult team.
"Shh, don't speak." Barney pushed his finger to her lips and leaned in giving her a gentle kiss. "See you on the other side, Scherbatsky." He quickly rose to her feet. No time for her to protest.
He threw himself at the area where Marshall had been hit and found himself looking into his daughter's vengeful hazel eyes. He rose his gun the same time she did quickly prepared to aim at his child. Take her down.
"NO!" In a very old style heroic fashion Robin shielded her husband from the blast taking it herself. It was of little use though as they were both taken out.
"Yes, score!" Sierra yanked air raising her hand to high five Mel who's pigtails were now out since they started the game. She looked at her parents. "That was very awesome Mom." She rose her hand in the air as she came closer to her mother who had fallen on top of Barney who was laying there feeling the weight of his wife on him. She high fived her daughter. "Epic! Most epic laser tag game ever! Wish I had gotten Uncle Marshall though." She turned her head lightly in both directions. "Cake and presents?"
"Sure." Barney moaned. "As soon as your mother gets off me." Robin and Sierra laughed lightly together ready for the second half of her fifteenth birthday.
--
The cake was raspberry vanilla and looked too good to be eaten. Sierra had on her favorite black T-shirt with her favorite alternative band's symbol and name plastered on the front. Her jeans were rolled up at the ankle as she leaned forward sniffing the cake. It smelt extra good. Her dad seemed to always know the right places where things were done right. Her name was written in shiny purple writing as well as the usual happy birthday.
"So is there an extra present for winning at laser tag?" Sierra asked raising her voice in the rec. center which had everything from pinball to arcade games. Barney Stinson smiled messing up his daughter's hair.
"Ha, please." He said and she made a very pouty face. He didn't by it. It was as if Barney Stinson was immune to everything cute.
"You're about to get a lot of presents and you want another prize?" Sierra nodded at her mother who was busy taking out the blown out candles. She rolled her eyes putting the candles on a napkin. "Expensive presents." She winked slightly and felt a soft nudge on her shoulder.
"Can't you keep a secret, Scherbatsky?" Barney asked with another nudge. He rolled his eyes at his wife. She stuck out her tongue.
"At least I didn't tell her what I got like Lily." Robin said motioning over to the woman biting her lower lip lightly.
"Lily!" Marshall cried embarrassed.
"What? I can't resist her puppy dog eyes." Lily felt ashamed to telling the fifteen year old about her new set of clothes picked out by her own daughter.
"Lily! Learn self control. Even I can resist the allure of the puppy dog eyes." Barney stated bringing out his own present. A small rectangular box.
"This week. Last week he buckled under the pre-birthday pressure." Robin chuckled as Barney elbowed her.
"Okay, I like banter as much as the next person, but I like presents waaayyy more!" Sierra told her parents. She eyed Ted and his wife as well as Eric and his wife who were her friend Lauren's parents. Eric worked with her father and was pretty darn awesome as well. Sierra often thought working with her father one had to be the most awesome.
"Patience is a virtue." Ted's wife told the young girl, but she yanked Lily and Marshall's present from Brandon.
"And presents are all for me." Sierra smiled happily ripping at the purple wrapping paper.
Beyond the wrapping paper was a department store box. Sierra opened it moving the white tissue paper away. A fluffy purple winter coat was inside as well as three long sleeved shirts, and a pair of dress pants. Robin smiled at Lily glad that none of the shirts had inappropriate sayings on them. Sierra had only worn those for a whole month. It made Robin and Barney tempted to retrieve the intervention banner from Marshall and Lily from their younger years.
"Thanks Eriksons!" She group hugged the two adults then managed to squeeze all four children in a hug. She turned toward Ted and his wife. "Up next Mosbys!" She opened her hands. Barney sighed watching Ted get up from his chair.
His daughter was in selfish mode. It was something that had been happening for the past year or so. Robin called it a phase. Barney called it annoying. Though sometimes he resisted her requests. Other times he didn't. Like the horse he almost bought when they were at Robin's aunt's house. Robin had convinced him not to.
Sierra Stinson started unwrapping Uncle Ted and his family's gift. David was grinning happily as Lindsay was eating the cake very thoughtfully. Ted's wife just watched the girl unwrap the gift in wonder. Under all that wrapping was a very nifty pair of black boots that would extend her five foot four frame an extra two inches. Sierra smiled up at the pair.
"Thanks guys. David especially." She laughed lightly remembering when she was about to spend her money on the boots when David had shouted not to get them and directed her toward the purses.
"Mine is awesome, Sierra!" Lauren demanded thrusting the rectangular box at her. It was larger than the one her father had his hand on. Sierra ripped at the paper eagerly looking at the tape.
"No way! The Best of The Price is Right?!" she exclaimed turning her attention to her father. He instantly grabbed the DVD box set, but something clung to his hand.
"Oh yeah Barney we asked my friend, Bill to tape the episode you were on." Eric stated pointing to the case taped poorly to the back of the case. Barney was still enchanted with the fact he could watch his father every day.
"Guys this is the greatest! You know I love the show." Sierra smiled lightly as she thanked the couple and her friend multiple times. She went next to her father, still looking at the picture of Bob Barker fondly. "Now we can watch Grandpa all the time." Barney looked up smiling at his daughter who giggled to herself. Robin rolled her eyes as the two hugged.
"Barney our present." Robin called as Barney glanced at the box in his hands.
"Right! Best for last kiddo." He handed her the box taking the DVD slowly looking it over again until Robin snatched it. "But . . ."
"No Barney. It's Sierra's present." Robin shook the box set at him as Sierra looked at the black box.
"Don't worry Dad. We'll have a marathon tonight. We can have ice cream too." She smiled as her dad smiled in response. She started to take the top off to see the pretty pearl necklace inside. Sierra's eyes gleamed with joy.
"They used to be my grandmother's." Robin stated watched as Sierra ran her fingers over each circular pearl. "I know how much you love pearls. I asked your grandmother to send them down. They're worth a lot and were priceless to her."
"Mommy I love them." Robin watched her daughter stare at her reaction in the reflection of the pearl. Robin knew Sierra only called her mommy when she was excited. "Hug?" She placed it down slowly and opened her arms. Robin went to hug her daughter, but Barney got there first hugging Sierra tightly.
"Thank you Sierra." He hugged her tightly. "We're watching Grandpa tonight right?" He whispered into her ear. He saw Marshall looked at him slyly. Of course he knew what was going on.
"Not unless you kill me. Hugging tight, Dad." She said softly then he let go. Robin put her arms around her daughter pulling her into a tight hug. "Thanks guys."
"Happy Birthday Sierra." Robin Stinson said as her husband said the same thing holding up the DVD set. Sierra nodded laughing softly. One of her better birthdays.